Phalaenopsis orchid plant named ‘PHALBIRWIN’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct variety of  Phalaenopsis  plant named ‘PHALBIRWIN’, particularly characterized by small, reddish-purple flowers with light reddish-purple centers and dark red-purple lips, dorsal sepals with an incurving curvature of the longitudinal axis, a short and compact plant having five to seven branches, and is propagated by meristem tissue culture, is disclosed.

Genus and species: Phalaenopsis hybrid.

Variety denomination: ‘PHALBIRWIN’.

BACKGROUND OF THE NEW PLANT

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar ofPhalaenopsis plant, botanically known as Phalaenopsis hybrid of theOrchidaceae family, commonly referred to as moth orchid, and hereinafterreferred to by the variety name ‘PHALBIRWIN’.

The new Phalaenopsis plant is a product of a planned breeding programconducted by the inventor in Bleiswijk, the Netherlands. The objectiveof this breeding program was to create a new, short Phalaenopsis plantwith few branches and numerous attractive and unique, small,reddish-purple flowers with light reddish-purple centers and darkred-purple lips, suitable for potted plant production.

The new Phalaenopsis plant ‘PHALBIRWIN’ is a result of cross-pollinationmade by the inventor in January 2013 in Bleiswijk, the Netherlands, ofthe proprietary female, or seed parent, Phalaenopsis hybrid ‘17956-06’(unpatented) with the proprietary male, or pollen parent, Phalaenopsishybrid ‘01-3389’ (unpatented).

The new Phalaenopsis was selected by the inventor as a single plantwithin the progeny of the stated cross-pollination in a controlledgreenhouse in Bleiswijk, the Netherlands, in November 2015. Asexualreproduction of the new Phalaenopsis plant by meristem tissue culturesince 2016 in Bleiswijk, the Netherlands, has demonstrated that the newvariety reproduces true to type with all of the characteristics, asherein described, firmly fixed and retained through successivegenerations.

Community Plant Variety Rights for this variety have been applied for inthe European Union on Jan. 30, 2020 (Application no. 2020/0305), byApplicant who obtained the subject matter disclosed directly from theinventor. ‘PHALBIRWIN’ has not been made publicly available or soldanywhere in the world prior to the effective filing date of thisapplication with the exception of sales or disclosures made one year orless before the effective filing date of this claimed invention byApplicant who obtained ‘PHALBIRWIN’ directly from the inventor.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The following are the most outstanding and distinguishingcharacteristics of this new cultivar when grown under normalhorticultural practices in Bleiswijk, the Netherlands, and can be usedto distinguish ‘PHALBIRWIN’ as a new and distinct variety ofPhalaenopsis plant:

-   -   1) Small, reddish-purple flowers with light reddish-purple        centers and dark red-purple lips;    -   2) Curvature of the longitudinal axis of the dorsal sepal is        incurving;    -   3) Plant has 5 to 7 branches; and    -   4) Plant is short and compact.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

This new Phalaenopsis plant is illustrated by the accompanyingphotographs which show the overall plant habit including blooms, buds,and foliage of the plant; the colors shown are as true as can bereasonably obtained by conventional photographic procedures. Thephotographs were taken in a greenhouse in Bleiswijk, the Netherlands,from 42-week-old plants in February 2021. Colors in the photographs maydiffer from the color values cited in the detailed botanicaldescription, which accurately describe the actual colors of the newvariety.

FIG. 1 shows the overall plant habit, including blooms, buds, andfoliage of ‘PHALBIRWIN’.

FIG. 2 shows a close-up of a flower of ‘PHALBIRWIN’.

FIG. 3 shows an overhead view of the leaves of ‘PHALBIRWIN’.

DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW VARIETY

The following detailed description sets forth the distinctivecharacteristics of ‘PHALBIRWIN’. Plants of the new Phalaenopsis have notbeen observed under all possible environmental conditions. The phenotypemay vary somewhat with variations in environment such as temperature,light intensity, and day length, without, however, any variance ingenotype. The chart used in the identification of colors describedherein is The R.H.S. Colour Chart of The Royal Horticultural Society,London, England, 2015 edition, except where general color terms ofordinary significance are used. The color values were determined under4000-6000 lux natural light in a greenhouse in Bleiswijk, theNetherlands. Observations and measurements were made in February 2021 onflowering plants which were planted in 9-centimeter (diameter) pots.After in vitro propagation, the plants were grown in nursery trays for18-20 weeks, followed by transplantation to 9-centimeter pots and grownin a greenhouse between 27° C. to 29° C. for 25 weeks, continued by acooling period of 6 weeks between 18° C. to 20° C. and 11 weeks in agreenhouse of 21° C. Flowering occurs after 42 weeks in 9-centimeterpots.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

-   Classification:    -   -   Family.—Orchidaceae.        -   Botanical.—Phalaenopsis hybrid.        -   Common name.—Moth orchid.        -   Variety name.—‘PHALBIRWIN’.-   Parentage:    -   -   Female parent.—Phalaenopsis cultivar ‘17956-06’            (unpatented).        -   Male parent.—Phalaenopsis cultivar ‘01-3389’ (unpatented).-   Propagation:    -   -   Type.—Meristem tissue culture.-   Roots:    -   -   Root description.—Greyed-green (a color in between RHS 190B            and RHS 190C) colored roots with a touch of purplish-red            (RHS N77B) and branching lateral roots having yellow-green            (RHS N144A) colored root tips.-   Plant:    -   -   Crop time to flowering.—Following asexual propagation (in            vitro), the rooted cuttings grow for 18-20 weeks. After            transplantation into 9-cm pots, the plants are finished            after 40 to 42 weeks.        -   Growth habit of the peduncle.—Upright to slightly pendent            with panicle inflorescence.        -   Height (from soil level to top of            inflorescence).—Approximately 25.0 cm to 30.0 cm.        -   Width (measured from leaf tips).—About 18.0 cm to 21.0 cm.        -   Vigor.—Strong.-   Leaves:    -   -   Mature leaves.—Quantity per plant: 7 to 8 leaves are            produced before flowering. Length (fully expanded): 10.0 cm            to 12.0 cm. Width: 5.5 cm to 6.5 cm. Position of the            broadest part of the leaf: At the middle. Shape: Oblong.            Base shape: Moderately to slightly elongated. Apex: Obtuse            slightly asymmetric. Leaf blade angle with the petiole            (measured from the horizontal position): Between 15 degrees            and 35 degrees. Leaf margin: Entire. Color: Upper surface:            RHS 146A. Lower surface: RHS 146B. Texture (both upper and            lower surfaces): Smooth. Thickness: 1.8 mm to 2.1 mm.            Variegation: Absent. Venation: Pattern: Parallel. Color of            the midvein: Upper surface: RHS 146A. Lower surface: RHS            146B.-   Peduncle:    -   -   Quantity per plant.—1 to 3.        -   Number of flowers per peduncle.—14 to 24.        -   Length.—25.0 cm to 30.0 cm.        -   Diameter.—3.0 mm to 4.0 mm.        -   Strength.—Strong.        -   Aspect.—Upright to slightly pendent.        -   Texture.—Smooth.        -   Color.—Dark reddish-brown (a color in between RHS 187A and            RHS 200B).        -   Internode length.—1.0 cm to 2.0 cm.-   Inflorescence description:    -   -   Appearance.—Upright to slightly pendent, panicle            inflorescence with bilaterally symmetrical flowers that open            in succession beginning with the lowermost flower.        -   Number of inflorescences.—1 to 3.        -   Inflorescence size.—Height (from base to tip): 120.0 mm to            150.0 mm.        -   Flowering time.—First flowers can be expected 7 to 8 months            after planting in a 9-cm pot.        -   Flower.—Height: 30.0 mm to 35.0 mm. Diameter: 40.0 mm to            45.0 mm. Depth of lip: About 13.0 mm to 15.0 mm.        -   Flower longevity.—On the plant: 11 to 13 weeks.        -   Flower shape.—Flat.        -   Fragrance.—Absent.        -   Flower bud.—Average size: Medium. Length: 14.0 mm to            16.0 mm. Width: 12.0 mm to 14.0 mm. Shape: Egg shaped.            Color: Yellow-green (RHS 146C) with dark purplish-red            stripes and shade (RHS N79B).        -   Petals.—Arrangement: Open/free. Shape: Semi-circular. Apex:            Obtuse asymmetric. Margin: Entire. Length (from base to            tip): 19.0 mm to 21.0 mm. Width: 22.0 mm to 24.0 mm.            Position of the broadest part of the petal: At the base.            Color (when fully opened): Upper surface: Basic color:            Reddish-purple (a color in between RHS N78A and RHS N79C).            Over color: Light reddish-purple (RHS N78D) at the base;            dark purplish-red stripes (RHS N79C) and very light purple            small edge (RHS 76B). Lower surface: Basic color:            Reddish-purple (RHS N78B). Over color: Light reddish-purple            (RHS N78D) at the middle and small very light purple edge            (RHS 76B). Number of spots and stripes on the petals (upper            surface): Medium to many stripes. Color of spots and stripes            on the petals (upper surface): RHS N79C. Density of netting            of the petals (upper surface): None. Color of the netting            (upper surface): None.        -   Dorsal sepal.—Shape: Broad elliptic. Apex: Emarginated            symmetric. Margin: Entire. Length (from base to tip): 19.0            mm to 21.0 mm. Width: 17.0 mm to 19.0 mm. Position of the            broadest part of the dorsal sepals: At the middle. Color            (when fully opened): Upper surface: Basic color:            Reddish-purple (a color in between RHS N78A and RHS N79C).            Over color: Light reddish-purple (RHS N78D) at the base;            dark purplish-red stripes (RHS N79C) and very light purple            small edge (RHS 76B). Lower surface: Basic color:            Reddish-purple (a color in between RHS N78B and RHS N78C).            Over color: Light purple (a color in between RHS 76A and RHS            N78D). Number of spots and stripes on the dorsal sepals            (upper surface): Medium stripes. Color of spots and stripes            on the dorsal sepals (upper surface): RHS N79C. Density of            netting of the dorsal sepals (upper surface): None. Color of            the netting (upper surface): None.        -   Lateral sepals.—Shape: Ovate. Apex: Obtuse asymmetric.            Margin: Entire. Length (from base to tip): 21.0 mm to            23.0 mm. Width: 16.0 mm to 18.0 mm. Position of the broadest            part of the lateral sepals: Toward the base. Color (when            fully opened): Upper surface: Basic color: Reddish-purple (a            color in between RHS N78A and RHS N79C). Over color: Touch            of yellow-green (RHS 145C) with very small dots (RHS 59B) at            the base; stripes and netting (RHS N79C). Lower surface:            Basic color: Reddish-purple (a color in between RHS N78B and            RHS N78C). Over color: Yellowish-green (RHS 145C) at the            base; light purple (a color in between RHS 76A and RHS N78D)            at the middle toward the tip and reddish-purple midvein (RHS            N78A) toward the tip. Number of spots, dots, and stripes on            the lateral sepals (upper surface): Few dots at the base;            medium stripes. Color of spots, dots, and stripes on the            lateral sepals (upper surface): Dots (RHS 59B); stripes (RHS            N79C). Density of netting of the lateral sepals (upper            surface): Medium. Color of the netting (upper surface): RHS            N79C.        -   Labellum (lip).—Whiskers: Present, but very short. Length of            whiskers: 1.0 mm to 2.0 mm. Color of whiskers: Dark            purplish-red (RHS N79C) with little white tips (RHS NN155C).            Pubescence on the lip: Absent.        -   Lateral lobe.—Shape: Type IV (as described in the            International Union for the Protection of New Varieties of            Plants (UPOV) Test Guidelines for Phalaenopsis); weakly            spatulate. Margin: Slightly undulated. Length: 13.0 mm to            15.0 mm. Width: 8.0 mm to 10.0 mm. Color: Upper surface:            Touch of yellow (RHS 13A) at the base; dark red stripes (RHS            187A); dark red (RHS 187A) and purplish-red (a color in            between RHS 59B and RHS 59C) toward the tip. Lower surface:            Yellowish-white (RHS 155D) at the base; purplish-red (RHS            59B) on one side and purplish-red (RHS 59C) toward the other            side and tip. Number of spots and stripes on the lateral            lobe: Medium stripes. Color of spots and stripes on the            lateral lobe: RHS 187A. Density of netting of the lateral            lobe: None. Color of the netting: None.        -   Apical lobe.—Shape: Circular. Margin: Entire. Length: 15.0            mm to 17.0 mm. Width: 11.0 mm to 13.0 mm. Color: Upper            surface: Touch of yellow (RHS 12A) at the base; dark red (a            color in between RHS 187B and RHS 187C); dark purplish-red            (RHS N79C) toward margin and whiskers. Lower surface:            Yellowish-white (RHS 155B) at the middle from the base            toward whiskers; light yellow (RHS 12C) and dark red (RHS            187C) toward wings; dark red-purple (a color in between RHS            N79C and RHS N79D) toward margins and whiskers. Number of            spots and stripes on the apical lobe: None. Color of spots            and stripes on the apical lobe: None. Density of netting of            the apical lobe: None. Color of the netting: None. Bump and            ridge: Absent.        -   Callus.—Average size: Small. Height: 3.0 mm to 4.0 mm.            Length: 4.0 mm to 5.0 mm. Width: 3.0 mm to 4.0 mm. Color:            Yellow tips (RHS 12A); light greenish-yellow (RHS 8C) on            sides; dotted (RHS 59B).-   Reproductive organs:    -   -   Column.—Length: 6.0 mm to 8.0 mm. Diameter: 3.0 mm to            4.0 mm. Color: Reddish-purple (RHS N78B) on sides and (RHS            N78A) at the middle.        -   Pollinia.—Quantity: 2. Diameter: 0.7 mm to 0.9 mm. Color:            Orange (RHS 24A).        -   Ovary.—Length: 8.0 mm to 10.0 mm. Diameter: 1.5 mm to 1.7            mm.        -   Pedicel.—Length: 25.0 mm to 27.0 mm. Diameter: 1.8 mm to            2.0 mm. Color: Touch of dark red (RHS 187B) at the base;            yellow-green (RHS 195B) and reddish-purple (RHS N78B) toward            the flower. Texture: Smooth.-   Disease, pest, and stress resistance: No specific resistance or    susceptibility observed to pathogens and pests common to    Phalaenopsis to date.-   Fruit and seeds: Fruit and seed development has not been observed on    plants of the new Phalaenopsis to date.

COMPARISON WITH PARENTAL LINES AND MOST SIMILAR VARIETIES

‘PHALBIRWIN’ differs from the female parent plant ‘17956-06’(unpatented) in that ‘PHALBIRWIN’ has obtuse petal apexes and weakcurvature of the lateral lobes, whereas ‘17956-06’ has rounded petalapexes and medium curvature of the lateral lobes. Additionally,‘PHALBIRWIN’ has smaller flowers than ‘17956-06’.

‘PHALBIRWIN’ differs from the male parent plant ‘01-3389’ (unpatented)in that ‘PHALBIRWIN’ has circular apical lobes and whiskers, whereas‘01-3389’ has ovate apical lobes and no whiskers.

‘PHALBIRWIN’ is most similar to the commercial Phalaenopsis plants named‘PHALFEMYM’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 29,783) and ‘PHALFITYJA’ (U.S. PlantPat. No. 31,978). ‘PHALBIRWIN’ differs from the commercial variety‘PHALFEMYM’ in that ‘PHALBIRWIN’ has a flat flower shape in lateralview, circular apical lobes, and weak curvature of the lateral lobes,whereas ‘PHALFEMYM’ has a concave flower shape in lateral view, ovateapical lobes, and medium curvature of the lateral lobes.

‘PHALBIRWIN’ differs from the commercial variety ‘PHALFITYJA’ in that‘PHALBIRWIN’ has emarginated dorsal sepal apexes and circular apicallobes, whereas ‘PHALFITYJA’ has obtuse dorsal sepal apexes and ovateapical lobes. Additionally, ‘PHALBIRWIN’ has wider dorsal sepals than‘PHALFITYJA’.

I claim:
 1. A new and distinct variety of Phalaenopsis plant named‘PHALBIRWIN’, substantially as described and illustrated herein.